God Inspiring the Angels to Communicate to the Believers during the Battle of Badr

8. [al-Anfal, Medina 88, after Badr 2H]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

إِذْ يُوحِي رَبُّكَ إِلَى الْمَلآئِكَةِ أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ فَثَبِّتُواْ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ...   

8: 12.  Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message):

"I am with you: give firmness to the believers:

سَأُلْقِي فِي قُلُوبِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ الرَّعْبَ...

I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers:

...فَاضْرِبُواْ فَوْقَ الأَعْنَاقِ وَاضْرِبُواْ مِنْهُمْ كُلَّ بَنَانٍ ﴿١٢﴾  

smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them."

C1189. The vulnerable parts of an armed man are above the neck. A blow on the neck, face or head, finishes him off.

If he has armour it is difficult to get at his heart. But if his hands are put out of action, he is unable to wield his sword or lance or other weapon, and easily becomes a prisoner.

Other Versions:

8: 12

Asad Lo! Thy Sustainer inspired the angels [to convey this message to the believers]: “I am with you” [note13].

“And give firmness unto those who have attained to faith: ‘ I shall cast terror into the hearts of those who are bent on denying the truth; strike, then, their necks, and strike off every one of their finder-tips!”

Pickthall When thy Lord inspired the angels, (saying:) I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger.

Transliteration Iz yu_hi rabbuka ilal mala_'ikati anni ma'akum fa sabbitul lazina a_manu_, sa ulqi fi qulu_bil lazina kafarur ru'ba fadribu_ fauqal a'na_qi wadribu_ mihum kulla bana_n(in).

[[ Asad’s note 13 - The phrase “I am with you” is addressed (through the angels) to the believers – “for, the purport of these words was the removal of fear, since it was the Muslims, and not the angels, who feared the deniers of the truth” ]]